Iceland – What to see and do – Inspire Adventures

Iceland is my favourite country I have visited so far and I loved every minute of my 6 day adventure there in March 2016! It is a place that has had a lasting impact on me, not only for the breathtaking scenery but also for a glimpse into what it is like to live in the polar regions. I went in search of the Northern Lights but gained so many more unforgettable experiences and a new found love for icy landscapes. Easter in Iceland was an adventure of a lifetime – one that truly exceeded my expectations and I’ll treasure forever!

Here’s 5 highlights from my adventure!

The Northern lights

Iceland is the right latitude for seeing the Northern Lights and to be honest this was one of my main reasons for wanting to visit! (On reflection Iceland has so much more to offer!) Luckily we got to see the dancing green lights on our tour – a magical experience and one that I’ll never forget! Luck plays a major part in seeing them and being able to brave the cold night!

Natural Landscapes

The Golden Circle Tour is a great introduction to the Icelandic Landscape! Starting with Thingvellir National Park, where the American and Eurasian plates are pulling apart at a rate of a few centimetres per year! Really nice to have a walk around the park and stand on 2 continents at once! Next onto the Geysirs, another really cool experience to watch these blast water into the air! The final stop was Gullfoss waterfall which is a spectacular slight – the sheer scale and force is amazing! It pretty cool to see it from the top and you might even spot a few rainbows!

Other natural landscapes to see include: the Lava fields which have lava fossils from the eruptions in 1782, Skogarfoss Waterfall which you can stand right next to and climb to a cool viewpoint with a glass floor and of course volcanoes! If you are up for an adventurous activity I would highly recommend talking a walk of a glacier! Vatnajokull is the largest ice cap in Europe and the glacier walk is an experience I’ll never forget! Walking a section of this harsh, ever changing and remote landscape was truly breathtaking and I truly felt like an artic explore with my ice axe!

Reykjavik

The capital is such a diverse city and has something for everyone! Located by the coast and surrounded by mountains it’s a beautiful place to wonder around and soak up the scenery! Talking a walk along the coastline with the the mountains as a back drop is pure bliss and stopping at the Sun Voyager to snap a picture and admire the view! A visit to the Harpa concert hall is also worthwhile, it’s a cool building and is home to the 360 expo which is a 3D experience of Iceland. The famous Hallgrímskirkja church, 73m high one of the tallest buildings in Iceland, is a must see for it’s architecture. A visit to the Church tower provides great views over the city! Whale watching is another good activity to do – we got to see a humpback whale which was awesome! I would say The Pearln is la hidden gem as it’s located on the outskirts of the city and requires a bit of a walk! It generates the geothermal
Power for the city and the dome provides 360 views of the city and d the surrounding area – something not to be missed!

The south Shore

Not too far from Reykjavik, going to shore was a nice day trip along the coast! My highlights had to be walking along Reynisfjara beach (aka death beach) with its black sand, high waves and tall cone like cliffs! (Had to write my name in the sand as well!) Also Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon was probably my favourite place I visited in Iceland! A walk around the glacial lake was spectacular and it was pretty cool to see sheets of ice and seals in the wild!

Icelandic people

The people are very friendly and personable – the service in shops, restaurant and hotels is excellent! It makes a big impact on your experience and leaves a lasting impression. A fun fact is that Icelanders believe in mythical creatures and in particular the hidden elves which are said to live in rocks. In fact many roads, paths and buildings go around big rocks so that the elves aren’t disturbed…!

Iceland truly was amazing in every way possible and a place I would highly recommend visiting! Thanks to everyone who made this trip one of the best – especially Dora our amazing guide! I definitely have a new found appreciation for icy landscapes – watch out Scandinavia! Iceland has opened my eyes to new adventures and I know I’ll be back again one day for another adventure!